Smile and be a Villain

August 15, 2016
The English Channel island of Alderney provides the setting for Dams’s charming 18th Dorothy Martin mystery (after 2015’s Blood Will Tell). Dorothy, an American who has long lived in England, and her husband, retired policeman Alan Nesbitt, start their vacation on Alderney with a hike. On a cliff path, they find the body of William Abercrombie, a retired American cleric who was wildly popular at the local church where he volunteered. Strangely, a few people loathed the very sight of him. Though the police call the event an accident, is it possible he was pushed? Dorothy, an inveterate snoop, naturally wants to know more, and the reluctance of some people to talk doesn’t stop her from questioning them. The imperturbable Alan adds a little gravitas and is careful not to become embroiled in Dorothy’s frequent whining. Alderney’s scenic beauty contrasts nicely with the villain’s dark background and evil plans. Agent: Kimberley Cameron, Kimberley Cameron Agency.

October 15, 2016
American expat Dorothy Martin and her husband, retired Chief Constable Alan Nesbitt, plan a quiet vacation to Alderney, the most northerly of the Channel Islands. Former schoolteacher Dorothy is eager to visit Guernsey and soak up local history on long walks with Nesbitt. (The bailiwick of Guernsey is a Crown dependency, the author explains, and they owe allegiance to the Queen but are neither governed by, nor represented in, Parliament. ) As in her 17 previous adventures, Dorothy's plans are interrupted by the discovery of a corpsecoinciding perfectly with her arrival on the islandand naturally Dorothy just can't help engaging in a little amateur sleuthing. The victim this time turns out to be an American who had been volunteering at the local church. Unfortunately, his motives for doing so may have been far from godly. Another charming cozy featuring two very likable senior sleuths who show no signs of slowing down.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)